British and French warplanes flew together over the Mediterranean this week in their first joint exercise involving France's airborne nuclear capability, Paris announced on Friday, highlighting growing cooperation between Europe's two nuclear-armed powers.

The exercise took place on Tuesday evening, when RAF Typhoons escorted French Rafales on a simulated nuclear strike mission known as "Rummy," France's armed forces ministry said.

The French aircraft took off from Saint-Dizier air base in northeastern France.

“Having independent nuclear forces does not preclude coordination,” French Armed Forces Minister Catherine Vautrin said, adding that nuclear cooperation between France and the United Kingdom continues to deepen.

British Defence Secretary Wes Streeting said the exercise showed both countries were committed to European security and to maintaining nuclear deterrence in a dangerous world.

“In an increasingly dangerous world, our adversaries should be in no doubt: the United Kingdom and France stand together in their commitment to European security and to maintaining the deterrence that has helped preserve peace for generations,” he said.

The joint drill follows the Northwood Declaration, signed by Britain and France in July 2025, which set out a framework for closer cooperation between their nuclear forces amid growing uncertainty over US commitments to Europe.

France has also moved to reinforce its nuclear posture. In March 2026, President Emmanuel Macron announced plans to expand the country's arsenal and launched an initiative offering European partners closer cooperation through joint exercises and the possible temporary deployment of French nuclear-capable assets on their territory.

France currently maintains an estimated arsenal of 290 nuclear warheads, delivered by submarine- and aircraft-based systems, and spends approximately €5.6 billion annually on maintaining its nuclear forces.

Britain possesses an estimated 225 nuclear warheads. By comparison, Russia and the United States each possess more than 5,000 nuclear warheads, according to various reports.

The developments come amid deteriorating relations between Russia and European governments over Ukraine war and growing concerns about the reliability of the United States as Europe's principal security guarantor.

France offers nuclear shield to Europe as US threatens to withdraw forces: Report

France has reportedly expressed readiness to use its nuclear deterrent to help protect Europe against potential threats amid US plans to withdraw its forces from the continent.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned Europe over the security of Kaliningrad, the Russian exclave between Poland and Lithuania, and Moscow has threatened to use nuclear weapons if necessary to defend its territory.

Putin has also said Russia does not intend to attack European countries and has expressed a desire for peaceful coexistence.

After Russia launched its special military operation in Ukraine in February 2022, tensions between Moscow and NATO have intensified following years of disputes over NATO’s eastward expansion and Ukraine’s stated desire to join the alliance.